- 01:11 AM
- 10/23/26
My picks for week 1:
Pistons by 4
Knicks by 7
Spurs by 3
Timberwolves by 4
Warriors by 5
76ers by 6
Thunder by 5
Celtics by 6
Head's up rcade: That last game (Nuggets @ Thunder on the 23rd) should be Houston @ San Antonio. They're playing that game at UT's Moody Center in Austin.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:23 PM on October 20, 2026
Revised picks for week 6:
Falcons by 4
Browns by 4
Colts by 6
Patriots by 8
Saints by 4
Eagles by 4
Steelers by 4
Rams by 14 (lock)
Chiefs by 9 (lock)
Bills by 6
Cowboys by 4
49ers by 15 (lock)
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:49 AM on October 18, 2026
My picks for week 6:
Seahawks by 9
Jaguars by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:12 PM on October 15, 2026
Revised picks for week 5:
Jaguars by 4
Bengals by 9
Patriots by 3
Vikings by 6
Browns by 5
Colts by 3
Texans by 5
Commanders by 7
Broncos by 8
Lions by 10 (lock)
Bears by 7
Seahawks by 6
Falcons by 5
Rams by 4
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:36 AM on October 11, 2026
If it were a regular Sunday match-up I don't know that you're going to find a tastier week to pick Dallas in a Survivor League.
But, woof, the Thursday games are about as volatile as they come.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:23 PM on October 08, 2026
My picks for week 5:
Cowboys by 17
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:19 PM on October 08, 2026
Blake Hinson would really like to join the Utah Jazz.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:52 PM on October 05, 2026
My picks for week 4:
Browns by 4
Commanders by 7
Ravens by 10 (lock)
Bills by 10
Bears by 6 (lock)
Bengals by 3
Cowboys by 8
Giants by 4
Rams by 4 (lock)
Buccaneers by 5
Vikings by 11 (lock)
Chiefs by 4
Seahawks by 17 (lock)
49ers by 4
Lions by 9
Saints by 8 (lock)
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:45 AM on October 01, 2026
Revised picks for week 3:
Bills by 18
Panthers by 4 (lock)
Lions by 8
Colts by 4
Patriots by 7
Chiefs by 17 (lock)
Giants by 6
Bengals by 9
Seahawks by 10 (lock)
49ers by 9
Buccaneers by 5
Cowboys by 4
Saints by 6
Rams by 7
Eagles by 4
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:11 PM on September 27, 2026
My picks for week 3:
Packers by 16 (lock)
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:59 PM on September 24, 2026
Revised picks for week 2:
Panthers by 4
Ravens by 7
Bears by 10 (lock)
Texans by 3
Patriots by 8
Packers by 7
Buccaneers by 8 (lock)
Eagles by 6
Broncos by 7
Chargers by 3
Seahawks by 10 (lock)
Cowboys by 6
49ers by 13 (lock)
Chiefs by 6
Rams by 10 (lock)
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:03 AM on September 20, 2026
My picks for week 2:
Bills by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:31 PM on September 17, 2026
Revised picks:
Bears by 4
Bengals by 3
Lions by 10 (lock)
Bills by 5
Colts by 4
Jaguars by 10 (lock)
Steelers by 6
Titans by 4
Chargers by 8 (lock)
Raiders by 7
Packers by 6
Eagles by 8
Cowboys by 4
Broncos by 9
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:26 AM on September 13, 2026
That was the most excited text I've gotten from my dad in...ever, probably.
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:17 PM on September 12, 2026
I'm curious as to what H.R. Pufnstuf has to say on the matter.
"Yeah, I'm a big conspiracy theorist," Metcalf told Jones. "Shout out to my quarterback."
Oh, okay, cool. Sounds like they took some shrooms and watched John Carpenter's "The Thing".
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:22 AM on September 10, 2026
My picks:
Seahawks by 6
Rams by 10 (lock)
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:22 PM on September 09, 2026
Only reason that I can see he gets a simple slap on the wrist (with a wet noodle) is the NBA doesn't want to go to war with the NBPA.
I think it's mostly this, combined with Uncle Dennis serving as a fall guy with his five-year suspension, plus the fact that any suspension to Kawhi, even without pay, would inadvertently hurt a Raptors team that is hoping to compete in a very tough Eastern Conference.
We'll never know, of course, but I am curious if there was any sort of negotiation or other behind-the-scenes communications between the vested parties here before the decision was finalized.
Also, how lucky is Adam Silver that it's the Clippers involved and not one of the cornerstone franchises? I can't see him taking a crowbar to the knees of the Lakers, Celtics, or Knicks like this.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:20 PM on September 03, 2026
Losing first-round draft picks is kind of a nice double-whammy. Not only does it make it difficult for them to add young talent, those things are incredibly valuable in the current trade market.
I don't know if this is "appropriate" or not since there isn't much of a precedent set, but yes, hooray for some real-ass consequences.
The article doesn't state this outright: Safe to assume this clears up any remaining obstacles in Kawhi's return to Toronto?
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:41 PM on September 02, 2026
If it wasn't going to be one of the more obvious three of GSW/CLE/MIA, I was kind of hoping he'd land in Minnesota (ANT and LaMelo were reportedly campaigning). That would've been fun.
But here we are! If Kawhi actually winds up playing meaningful basketball in Toronto this season the Atlantic Division is going to be pretty fascinating.
Edit: It almost certainly won't happen, but I'm selfishly wondering if this opens up the idea of a Kyrie for VJ Edgecombe trade.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:59 PM on July 24, 2026
With knockout victories over Portugal and France in this World Cup, the Spanish National Football Team now has more playoff wins at JerryWorld (2) than the Dallas Cowboys do (1).
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:58 PM on July 15, 2026
No need to worry, the IOC is investigating. If anyone can clear up a corruption scandal, it's the masters themselves.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:33 PM on July 15, 2026
For those not keeping an eye on the NBA off-season, here's a quick summary:
- Giannis now plays for Miami
- LaMelo Ball now plays for Minnesota
- Julius Randle now plays for Brooklyn
- Ja Morant is now one of four starting PGs on the Portland Trailblazers
- LeBron James no longer plays for the Lakers. Highly rumored to join Steph and Draymond in Golden State followed by a possible pursuit of Anthony Davis
- and we just learned that Kawhi Leonard is headed back to Toronto.
And now Free Agency begins.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:48 PM on June 30, 2026
Imagine being so disliked that you're banned from a building by the likes of Dolan.
Given how thin-skinned and petty Dolan is (even for a billionaire), this might be one of the easiest clubs in Manhattan to get into.
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:23 AM on June 15, 2026
Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuthin' to fuck with!
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:30 AM on June 11, 2026
Sure, but I'm gonna need to see a receipt from anyone that picks Josh Hart for top rebounder. (/s)
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:11 AM on June 04, 2026
My picks:
Knicks in 6
Top point scorer: Jalen Brunson
Top rebounder: OG Anunoby
Game 1 winner: Spurs
Team scoring most points in game: Spurs
Series MVP: Jalen Brunson
Top fouler: Karl-Anthony Towns
Top three-point shooter: Julian Champagnie
This should be a pretty fun series!
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:57 PM on June 03, 2026
Oof, "Four-piece chicken nugget" is gonna be a tough nickname to live down.
I feel like the only saving grace for Chet right now is that the Finals start tomorrow night and most folks will move on rather quickly. Been a while since I've seen an athlete get roasted this hard.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:15 PM on June 02, 2026
Yeah, Luke Kornet is getting chicken-fried and smothered in gravy.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:26 PM on May 28, 2026
Yeah, I think that's a very fair statement. This series has been so compelling that it's kind of easy to forget, but the T-Wolves taking down the Nuggets in the first round deprived us of a Jokic vs. Wemby 2nd round matchup that (in my opinion) could've easily gone either way.
Their young core of Castle, Vassell, Harper, and Johnson is obviously very legit though. Their window is going stay open so long as Wemby can stay on the court.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:02 PM on May 28, 2026
Okay, that one's pretty funny.
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:49 AM on May 28, 2026
Last time the Knicks were in this position they played San Antonio and the Sports Deities do love them a rematch.
Also, he didn't play much, but Jalen Brunson's father Rick was a deep bench guy on that Knicks squad.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:34 PM on May 26, 2026
I've always kinda liked De'Aaron Fox, but I don't know that this is the kind of series he's going to have a big impact on. The way Castle, Harper (who is a 20 y/o rookie!), and Vassell played last night, my guess is Mitch Johnson would've stuck with that same 5 (Wemby and Champagnie) in the OTs.
It seemed like a huge move at the time, but it feels like the Spurs hitting hard on their last few draft picks have made Fox a bit extraneous. We'll see though, it looks like he'll be available for G2.
Also, sweet jebus, how historically great is last year's rookie class looking? It's kind of tough to grasp that this Summer's could be even better. Massive influx of talent coming into the league.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:13 PM on May 19, 2026
What a fun night of playoffs!
I never saw ESPN show the crowd at the Bell Centre's reaction to the game-winner, so here it is for anyone that's curious.
I still have no idea how the Spurs/Thunder series is going to shake out, but I plan to be locked in for every bit of it. Absolute cinema last night and it's only going to get better as the series progresses.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:29 AM on May 19, 2026
My picks:
Thunder in 7
Knicks in 6
Top point scorer: Jalen Brunson
Top rebounder: Wemby
Most points per game: Knicks
Least opponent points per game: Knicks
Can we make the OKC/Spurs series a Best of 17?
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:33 PM on May 18, 2026
Yeah, the Thunder are in that same "8 games in the past 5 weeks" boat, but shit is finally about to get really real for them, lol.
Ooh, Cle/Det game 7 tonight!
Here's hoping the Paul Reed Renaissance continues!
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:50 PM on May 17, 2026
I'd personally prefer basketball, but I feel like whichever of the PWHL, NWSL, or WNBA is the first to try a team in STL will do quite well.
We did get a date on the PWHL's tour when they were scouting cities and I heard it was a great event, but I'm sure there's a lot more to it than just that.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:02 PM on May 12, 2026
My picks:
76ers in 7
Spurs in 6
Pistons in 7
Thunder in 4
Top point scorer: Shai
Top rebounder: Gobert
Most points per game: Thunder
Least opponent points per game: Spurs
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:04 PM on May 04, 2026
Former Raptors Executive Masai Ujiri hired as new Dallas Mavericks General Manager. I like it!
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:13 PM on May 04, 2026
Dang, even the Canadian spammers are polite.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:19 PM on May 04, 2026
Big day if you like Game 7s:
- Magic & Pistons at 3:30E/2:30C (ABC)
- Canadiens & Lightning at 6:00E/5:00C (TNT)
- Cavaliers & Raptors at 7:30E/6:30C (NBC)
Still kinda shocked that both the Nuggets and Celtics got the first round boot.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:30 AM on May 03, 2026
Are we 100% sure we're not being Sidd Finch-ed?
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:49 PM on April 30, 2026
My picks:
Cavaliers in 7
Nuggets in 5
Hawks in 7
Rockets in 5
Celtics in 5
Thunder in 4
Pistons in 5
Spurs in 5
Top point scorer: Jamaal Murray
Top rebounder: Jalen Duren
Most points per game: Thunder
Least opponent points per game: Spurs
Minor error that I doubt will affect anyone's picks: The Nuggets are playing the T-Wolves, not the Clips.
Glad to see you around, rcade. Very much looking forward to some wall-to-wall basketball this weekend!
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:37 AM on April 18, 2026
Huh, I figured Malone would get back into coaching before too long but this wasn't the move I saw coming.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:13 PM on April 06, 2026
For all I know he's planning on succeeding Steve Kerr, and I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking twice about jumping from the Pro Coaching ranks into College in the current environment, but I'd kind of love to see Jerry Stackhouse take a run at it.
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:22 PM on April 03, 2026
Bill Self set to return for 24th season with Kansas, keeping the Jayhawks out of the coaching carousel mess.
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:14 PM on April 01, 2026
Lol, that would be a wonderful insult to injury: Cuban sells his majority stake in the Mavs to some absolute ghouls and uses the money to poach the coach of my mid-major alma mater/employer.
My understanding (as a fan/citizen, I don't have any inside info here) is that Richard Chaifetz is funding a good chunk of SLU's ascension, which makes sense given they've played in his namesake arena for quite some time. The whole "billionaires taking over College Sports and the rest of the world" sickens my soul, but I guess it's better to at least have one in your corner.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:18 PM on March 30, 2026
Oof, glad to hear it, NoMich. This is turning into a surprisingly uneasy off-season given all the coaching chaos in the big money programs.
Hope Gainey works out well for y'all. Homegrown is always a nice bonus when it clicks.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:55 PM on March 30, 2026
Hell yeah, glad to hear it. Y'all will have a blast. They cleared out a women-only pit for "RIDING WITH MY GIRLS" if your wife feels like mixing it up a bit.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:28 PM on March 23, 2026
Private aside to NoMich: Saw Die Spitz on Saturday night, absolutely killer again. I trust you've got tix secured for the Cat's Cradle show later in the year?
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:40 AM on March 23, 2026
Yeah, other than first few minutes when they were kind of jittery and loose with the ball, that couldn't have gone much better for the Billikens. They just picked apart Georgia's defense and created a layup line. Starting the second half on an 18-0 run put a quick end to any thoughts of a comeback.
I'm sure the Wolverines won't be as easy to dissect, but SLU's got a nasty three-point game that they didn't even need to use last night in their pockets. If any two or three of maybe six or seven valid options get hot, they might be able to keep it close.
They're losing a couple of key guys at the end of the year, most notably Robbie Avila and Dion Brown, but Trey Green/Amari McCottrey/Ishan Sharma/Brady Dunlap are all Sophomores so there will be plenty of talent remaining and I'm hoping Schertz's extension and this flash of national prominence (even if it ends tomorrow) will give them some extra options in the transfer portal. With the Cardinals and Blues both stuck at the bottom of the standings, they've got a real good opportunity here to raise their local standing for a bit.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:00 PM on March 20, 2026
THANKS FOR NOTHING SIENA!!!
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:07 PM on March 19, 2026
It's been a fun season for SLU's Billikens, who won the A-10 Title and earned a 9-seed. They play the (8) Georgia Bulldogs on Thursday night in what looks to be one of the closest matchups on paper. Winner (almost certainly) gets Michigan!
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:59 PM on March 16, 2026
If you told me someone was going to surpass 81 this season I wouldn't have any problem whatsoever believing you.
Bam wouldn't have been in my first 50 guesses of who would do it, though. Good on him!
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:55 AM on March 11, 2026
Going to be an interesting barometer of a week for Howard's Celtics as they play at the Spurs tonight and at OKC on Thursday. Nice eatin' for those of us without much of a stake left in the season too.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:46 PM on March 10, 2026
The Miami Dolphins are releasing Tua Tagovailoa, eating a record $99 Million dead-cap hit over the next two years.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:29 AM on March 09, 2026
Revised picks:
Rockets by 9 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 4
Spurs by 5
Nuggets by 7
Celtics by 11
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:30 PM on February 28, 2026
NFL Pickem Week 7: What the Hell Rams Edition
My picks for week 7:
Bears by 6
Saints by 3
49ers by 8
Bengals by 3
Panthers by 11 (lock)
Texans by 4
Vikings by 8 (lock)
Jets by 6
Browns by 7
Broncos by 5
Packers by 6
Raiders by 6
Seahawks by 5
Cowboys by 9